First layer: why is it the best super garment to resist the cold?

It is difficult to establish a linguistic-statistical count, but it is very likely that if you ask someone what have been the words they have spoken the most in the last few days, it can be “hey, it’s ice” or one of its derivatives, such as “pull it’s cold” or the most desperate “turn on the stove with…! “.

Temperatures drop very quickly. And this winter has not yet begun. And like a melancholic platitude, the words of Jorge González in “paramar ” –”I never thought this winter would be the coldest I have ever seen”— once again soaks our bones.

In addition to taking care of the typical illnesses of this season, eating well to improve your defenses and considering new ways to stay warm at night, such as adopting a pet and sleeping with it, it seems essential for this season to find new ways to shelter

In a multidisciplinary work, and after a quantum exercise of creativity, we reflect on who are the people who know the best technology and style when it comes to dressing professionally. After a long study we have come to the conclusion that mountain sports are the best known discipline to prepare to resist low temperatures. We ask them for advice and help.

What is your secret? They use, like many other athletes — why are we going to lie to you — a garment called the first layer.

And no, it’s not that of superheroes, nor that of a count. The first layer is called a coquettish, form-fitting garment that is put on, as the name suggests, before any shirt, shirt or blouse. It is practically glued to the skin and its function is to keep the body warm and dry.

Better still, they exist not only for the upper body, that is, in the form of long-sleeved T-shirts, but also for the buttocks and the legs, like a kind of long-john-john of the future .

Lucas Iniguez is the chief designer —or chief designer, in Spanish— of the brand of national origin lippi a company of products more than known among those who practice trekking, climbing and mountain sports in general.

He says that the first layers, as we said, are designed “with the most extreme conditions in the mountains in mind, such as snow, rain and cold”. That being the case, you would think that wearing these garments in an urban situation can cause you to go from hot to scorched. But no.

Can this type of clothing be worn like this with impunity in everyday life? “Each of our base layers can be used around town, to work, to university or elsewhere. These are garments that seek to maximize thermal efficiency, comfort and breathability, all qualities that are also perfect for everyday use. They are minimalist, light, adapt to the body and feel like a second skin, maintaining body heat,” says Iñiguez.

In this sense, he recommends reviewing its new line of first layers Skintec, with models for men, women and children, with different degrees depending on the cold that must be endured.

“The Skintec 1000 is our base layer for medium cold, high sweat conditions, like trail running,” he advises. They are made of synthetic materials — nylon and spandex — and have no seams, to avoid discomfort or itching. “As these are body-contouring garments, they must be extremely comfortable,” he says.

If the cold is already a horse, as mothers say, there is the most extreme option: Skintec 3000 . “It is the one with the highest thermal capacity, made of merino wool, a material that, in addition to being highly thermal, quick-drying, breathable and hypoallergenic, has antibacterial properties that prevent the appearance of bad Merino wool is the right material for extremely cold conditions,” says the Lippi representative.

For Jan Masferrer, mountain director of the German Andean Club the first layer is like an “additional skin” that protects against direct contact with external elements, such as the sun, the cold, the wind or even scratches, and which also provides us with additional thermal insulation.

For the upper body, Masferrer also recommends the Lippi Skintec garment, “because it is” super light, very breathable and with very good thermal capacity in relation to its weight. In white, it is also a very good reflector of the summer sun”.

Regarding the lower limbs, the mountaineer assures that the best clothing he has had is a Patagonia model. “They are ultra light and breathable, they also have an exceptional thermal capacity; the best I’ve had by far”, he says very confidently.

José Mena is president of andesmanual , the largest collaborative route and mountain guide that exists in the Andes. It is a project which “inspires for more than 20 years the desire to explore in several generations of outdoor enthusiasts”. It is a non-profit organization, more than 65,000 registered users, and who is in the middle of a campaign to increase his subscribers . For just $1,900 per month, you can access unlimited content on the platform – like viewing and downloading all routes, without banners or ads – money that will help grow the project.

With many years of experience outdoors, enduring cold that only God knows exists, Mena knows first layers well. “They keep you warm and dry, and although it’s designed for winter sports scenarios, it’s suitable for all outdoor activities, especially in the mountains. But for urban life, it’s a super good way to warm up and save energy and heating”.

The offer and the varieties being numerous, Mena advises to be interested in the materials rather than the brands. Among those that stand out are merino wool, polypropylene and Capilene, patented by Patagonia.

Her favourite? Merino wool. “It definitely needs to be kept warm, kept dry and also keep odors away.”

Mena acknowledges that the first few coats of this material are the most expensive, but it’s an investment that, in her opinion, is worth it. “I recommend buying one or two good ones: that way they won’t get too cold and you will only have to renew it every three years,” he says. Asked for recommendations, the expert shares some of his favorite models: “North Face’s are pretty good,” he says.

But he also suggests the Icebreaker brand models – “highly recommended” – made 100% with merino wool, the thermal and antiperspirant material par excellence. “Salewa offers very cool merino wool series ”.

Mena takes off and offers another set of options. He explains that “polypropylene is less expensive and offers a lot of shelter, although it’s not as good at keeping bad odors at bay.”

He adds that Patagonia’s base layers, with Capilene fabric, have different ranges: “Lightweight is for the home, while mediumweight is for more demanding scenarios. Heavyweights are already one hundred percent mountain and they are not for the city unless you live somewhere with -10 or -20 degree temperatures.

Finally, “an economical option that manages a lot, dog meat, are the first layers of Decathlon. More alternative, it is synthetic but much cheaper and it still does the trick. It keeps you dry and warm,” he recommends.

José Hidalgo is commercial director of Mountain House a store specializing in clothing and equipment for outdoor and mountain sports, located in Punta Arenas, just that.

Hidalgo emphasizes the importance of using base layers, but not just in winter. He explains that in summer they help to avoid the humidity produced by the temperature and to sweat faster than normal clothing.

“Base layers also have thermoregulatory, antibacterial, antifungal and even flame retardant properties. The best thing is that in some cases, if used well, they can be used for a month without having to be washed, as is the case with those made of merino wool,” he advises.

That’s why he always recommends this material to his customers, “hopefully 100% or high percentages in the composition of microfibers.” They serve a lot and have great performance,” he adds. Many in Patagonia use the first layers of merino wool on a daily basis, which is highly recommended. “There are also socks, collars, gloves, hats and underwear made of this material,” he adds.

Hidalgo says there are also very functional synthetic fibers, like polyester and nylon. He says that mixed with elastic fibers they give very good results, however they have a dark side: “The contact with the skin is not the best. Polyester has been shown to release chemicals harmful to health and to be more polluting as waste.

Which first layers should be suspected? The Mountain House man says the material that should never be used as a first layer is conventional cotton. “When it gets wet, whether from bodily or external factors, cotton retains that moisture. That is to say that he does not breathe, and in addition he cools very quickly, ”he warns.

For girls and boys, the recommendation is not so different. “The first layers of merino wool, if they can access it, are the best for men. Otherwise, functional synthetics, given their lower cost, are also a good option,” says José Hidalgo.

Lucas Íñiguez from Lippi says they have launched a new collection of Skintec base layers for boys and girls. “They come in a pack of t-shirts and leggings. They range from 3 years old to 16 years old, and it is designed so that the little ones can enjoy the outdoors in cold weather and also practice sports that require thermal, breathable and comfortable clothing”.

With all this first layer data, even if the coming winter is the coldest we’ve ever seen, there’s no reason to be frozen.

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of June 11, 2023. Values ​​and availability may change.